Sighetu Marmatiei

Sighetu Marmatiei

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Itinerary

DAY

LOCATION(S)

HOTEL

MEALS

DESCRIPTION

Day 1

Bucharest, Romania

Hotel Cismigiu (4*)

Breakfast

Airport transfer with private vehicle and driver. Conveniently located near Cismigiu Gardens and the most important cultural, historical and entertainment attractions in the Old Town, Hotel Cismigiu is a charming and history-rich hotel in Bucharest, originally opened as the Palace Hotel in 1912 and was reinvented as the Hotel Cismigiu in 2012. Its architecture is very special, blending modern interiors with old classicalfeatures: the historical door, Art Nouveau facades, and the original cupola. The 60 suites are complemented by fitness facilities, a bookstore and music store, Wi-Fi, and an on-site rooftop terrace and brewery for dining.

Day 2

The Bucovina (4*)

Breakfast

Airport transfer with private vehicle and driver. This evening you'll meet your private vehicle and driver for an airport transfer to your accommodation in Gura Humorului. The Bucovina - Club De Munte, part of the Best Western brand, is located in Gura Humorului, five kilometers away from monasteries Voronet and Humor, gently surrounded by Obcini, this property is your gateway into the fantastic world of customs and traditionsin the land of Bukovina. All of the rooms have been tastefully decorated and they are up to the international comfort standards including keycard locks, free wireless internet access, mini bars, LCD television sets, cable TV. The Spa center offers a fitness area, sauna, hammam, and jacuzzi. Different types of relaxation massages can be offered upon request. The refined atmosphere of the two restaurants invites you with memorable flavors of the traditional cuisine and plenty of international vegetarian dishes. Lobby Bar is the place to savor fine beverages, cocktails, and coffee.

Day 3

Gura Humorului, Romania

The Bucovina (4*)

Breakfast

Bucovina gathers more than 20 painted monasteries, reminders of the region's medieval history. This day is dedicated to four of the most beautiful of them. Departing to Sucevita with your private guide, begin with a 15th century fortified monastery. Continue with Moldovita (small Moldova), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The star of the day is typically Voronet. Perfectly shaped and built, Voronet hosts the most beautiful religious fresco in Moldavia, 'The Judgement'. Finish your tour at Dragomirna, the tallest monastery church and an example of gothic style in Eastern Europe. Some of the visits will be led by experts involved in the restoration of the churches and their frescoes, to help give you a unique perspective on their importance. Return transfer by private vehicle to Gura Humorului. The Bucovina - Club De Munte, part of the Best Western brand, is located in Gura Humorului, five kilometers away from monasteries Voronet and Humor, gently surrounded by Obcini, this property is your gateway into the fantastic world of customs and traditionsin the land of Bukovina. All of the rooms have been tastefully decorated and they are up to the international comfort standards including keycard locks, free wireless internet access, mini bars, LCD television sets, cable TV. The Spa center offers a fitness area, sauna, hammam, and jacuzzi. Different types of relaxation massages can be offered upon request. The refined atmosphere of the two restaurants invites you with memorable flavors of the traditional cuisine and plenty of international vegetarian dishes. Lobby Bar is the place to savor fine beverages, cocktails, and coffee.

Day 4

Sighetu Marmatiei

Casa Iurca (4*)

Breakfast

Leaving Bucovina today with your private guide and transportation, you'll head to the splendid region of Maramures (Northern Transylvania). You will pass through the stunning Carpathian mountains over the Prislop Pass (1400 meters, snow all year round). Due to the relative isolation of their land, the people of Maramures developed a particularly strong community, with a unique personality, traditions, culture, fashion and lifestyle - unspoiled for centuries. Stop in the villages of Poenile Izei for the dowry tradition and Barsana for the wonderfully carved wooden gates. Casa Iurca de Calinesti is located in Sighetu Marmatiei, right in the heart of Maramures Land, a place loaded with history and legends. You will see wonderful wood carvings realized by the inhabitants of those ancient places. The traditional guesthouse offers 22 rooms equipped with TV, mini-bar and internet connection. Travelling through Maramures, means to discover the craftsmanship and spirit of local artists who built a civilization based on wood carvings, while feeling the human presence and pride behind every piece of furniture, pottery, traditional costumes and handmade ornaments. The staff from Casa Iurca de Calinesti tries to pour into the travellers heart a drop from the essence of Maramures. They do this with a responsibility and passion for people and for tradition. Enjoy your stay!

Day 5

Sighetu Marmatiei

Casa Iurca (4*)

Breakfast

After breakfast, the village of Sapinta will enable you to explore the world famous "Merry Cemetery" with your private guide. Here each wooden cross carries a funny epitaph. Continue to Valea Cosaului an area off most tourist routes but with an untouched heritage. Stop to meet the local fair in Bogdan Voda, a colorful world where you can find everything from horses to Chinese sport shoes. Later, enjoy a visit to Calinesti church and village, including an icon-on-glass workshop, and a plum brandy distillery. If weather allows, you can to have a picnic lunch (not included) close to the church, surrounded by deep green forest. Late in the afternoon return to your hotel. Casa Iurca de Calinesti is located in Sighetu Marmatiei, right in the heart of Maramures Land, a place loaded with history and legends. You will see wonderful wood carvings realized by the inhabitants of those ancient places. The traditional guesthouse offers 22 rooms equipped with TV, mini-bar and internet connection. Travelling through Maramures, means to discover the craftsmanship and spirit of local artists who built a civilization based on wood carvings, while feeling the human presence and pride behind every piece of furniture, pottery, traditional costumes and handmade ornaments. The staff from Casa Iurca de Calinesti tries to pour into the travellers heart a drop from the essence of Maramures. They do this with a responsibility and passion for people and for tradition. Enjoy your stay!

Day 6

Golden Tulip Ana Dome (4*)

Breakfast

Located in the Somesul Mic River valley, the city of Cluj is considered the unofficial capital to the historical province of Transylvania, and it is the fourth most populous city in Romania. Featuring baroque, gothic, Renaissance and neoclassical buildings, the main square allows for quick access to St. Michael's Church and the Banffy Palace. Flanking the church on the south side is a 1902 equestrian statue of the 15th century ruler, Matei Corvin. In the southwest corner of the square stands Hotel Continental, built in 1895 in an eclectic style combining Renaissance, classical and baroque elements. During World War II, the hotel served as the German military headquarters in Transylvania. Across the square, you can visit the Hintz House, which served as Cluj's first and longest-running pharmacy (1573-1949) and is now home to the Pharmacy Museum. Walk around the city and discover all of these sights with your guide. A 6-minute walk from Opera Nationala Româna Cluj-Napoca, this upscale, old world-style hotel in an elegant, yellow-painted building is 1 km from baroque Bánffy Palace.

Day 7

Cluj, Romania

Continental Forum (3.5*)

Breakfast

Enjoy a relaxing city tour of Sibiu, a medieval city with narrow streets and gothic architecture, awarded the European Capital of Culture in 2007. Considered to be the jewel in the crown of German Siebenbuergen (Transylvania), the town dates back to the 1400's, and is one of the main tourist attractions in Romania. Visit Brukental Museum, the oldest museum in Romania with a vast collection of paintings, antiques, coins, and rare books, built by the governor of Transylvania, Samuel Brukenthal, between 1777 and 1787. Continental Forumblends classic design and an air of grandeur with a host of modern comforts. It is located in the centre of town, on the main street.The Neoclassical façade uncovers a host of impressive, bright interiorsand are equipped with modern furniture. The hotel offers a 3-star restaurant with a regional theme and a 4-star restaurant with International cuisine. Admire the stunning vistas from your private balcony or stroll around the exotic garden and appreciate the serenity of this beautiful Romanian setting.

Day 8

Sibiu, Romania

Continental Forum (3.5*)

Breakfast

Experience the countryside today and see how local village people live. You may be awakened by the sound of the cows returning to the summer meadows, then after a wonderful breakfast, a horse and cart will take you up through the High Nature Value meadows to visit a traditional shepherd's Stana, see the where you can see the sheep being milked, and cheese being made. Later, you will visit the local charcoal burner and other village craftsmen. If desired, you can take a picnic (not included) in the hills above the village. Returning to the village you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed church, then have time to explore. Continental Forumblends classic design and an air of grandeur with a host of modern comforts. It is located in the centre of town, on the main street.The Neoclassical façade uncovers a host of impressive, bright interiorsand are equipped with modern furniture. The hotel offers a 3-star restaurant with a regional theme and a 4-star restaurant with International cuisine. Admire the stunning vistas from your private balcony or stroll around the exotic garden and appreciate the serenity of this beautiful Romanian setting.

Day 9

Ambient (4*)

Breakfast

This morning, leave Sibiu with your private guide and stop in Biertan to visit the citadel, then continue on to Sighisoara. Sighisoara is the best preserved early middle age fortress-town in Europe, and therefore included in the World Cultural Heritage. Optional lunch in the Casa de Vlad Dracul restaurant - the actual house where Dracula was born and lived up to the age of four. Take a stroll through the old cobbled streets of Sighisoara and be amused by its Middle Ages atmosphere. Visit the Clock Tower and the Church on the Hill, before continuing to Brasov for overnight. Hotel Ambientisideally located in the centre of Brasov, a few minutes away from the historic monuments, elegant bars, and glamorous shops. With distinct architecture that offers marvelous views of the whole city fromthe glass elevator, the hotel ranks first amongst the private capital hotels in Brasov City. The guest rooms are spacious, as are the bathrooms, and are complete with standard amenities. Enjoy superb views of the city, perfect service, and culinary delights in the hotel's restaurant. Utmost attention is paid to every single detail, ensuring that you spend an unforgettable stay at the HotelAmbient.

Day 10

Brasov, Romania

Ambient (4*)

Breakfast

Start your Old City tour with the Town Hall Square, where you can admire the colorfully painted and ornately trimmed baroque structures. Visit the Black Church, the largest Gothic church in Romania. Continuing onyour visit you'llsee Catherine's Gate that waserected in 1559, the only original gate that still survives since medieval times. Visit Weavel's Bastion, the largest medieval bastion in Brasov and the best-preserved among the seven original watchtowers constructed around the city walls. Hotel Ambientisideally located in the centre of Brasov, a few minutes away from the historic monuments, elegant bars, and glamorous shops. With distinct architecture that offers marvelous views of the whole city fromthe glass elevator, the hotel ranks first amongst the private capital hotels in Brasov City. The guest rooms are spacious, as are the bathrooms, and are complete with standard amenities. Enjoy superb views of the city, perfect service, and culinary delights in the hotel's restaurant. Utmost attention is paid to every single detail, ensuring that you spend an unforgettable stay at the HotelAmbient.

Day 11

Hotel Cismigiu (4*)

Breakfast

Enjoy a full day guided tour, and visit the famous Bran Castle or Dracula Castle. Continue your tour with Peles Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Europe, a masterpiece of German New-Renaissance architecture, commissioned by King Carol in 1873 and completed in 1883. Admire Pelisor Castle, about 100m uphill from the castle, built by King Carol for his nephew. Conclude your day in Bucharest. Conveniently located near Cismigiu Gardens and the most important cultural, historical and entertainment attractions in the Old Town, Hotel Cismigiu is a charming and history-rich hotel in Bucharest, originally opened as the Palace Hotel in 1912 and was reinvented as the Hotel Cismigiu in 2012. Its architecture is very special, blending modern interiors with old classicalfeatures: the historical door, Art Nouveau facades, and the original cupola. The 60 suites are complemented by fitness facilities, a bookstore and music store, Wi-Fi, and an on-site rooftop terrace and brewery for dining.

Tour Features

Experience(s)

Experiences have not been selected at this time

Description

Explore Romania's three most important regions; Bucovina, Maramures and Transylvania. Discover a world of tradition, history, and culture, where the norm is so utterly breathtaking, it's spellbinding to anyone willing to seek it out.

About Us

Kensington Tours specializes in custom tours to over 90 countries worldwide. Our tailor-made journeys are carefully crafted to deliver a personalized adventure like no other. We build in extraordinary, enriching experiences and put the best private guides at your service. We do all this with award-winning attention to detail and unbeatable value for your travel dollar.

Reviews and Recommendations for Kensington Tours

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Highly Recommended

By: Linda

Reviewed on: 30 Jan 2014

The food, ambiance and lodging accommodations were fabulous! Only on the Stella Australis did we find the food to be suboptimal but plenty of drink helped overcome that.
The explorations and staff were wonderful.
However, the "luggage storage" while we went to the desert did not happen--no-one from the tour agency knew about it. We survived anyway.

Recommended

Highly recommend

By: Not provided

Reviewed on: 28 Apr 2014

I went on this trip with my son who was 12 at the time. My husband was unable to attend. Our personal guide and driver, Sam, was amazing and took us under his wing. We felt very safe and well cared for. He was patient with my son's energy level and also very knowledgeable about the wild life and culture. The lodges that we stayed in and the wild life viewing were amazing. The "kidtastic" tour that we took struck the right balance and my son had a great time! One of his favorite activities was hunting with the Aransai bush tribe people. Thanks

Great service with follow-through

By: Sgailey

Reviewed on: 18 Aug 2014

Kensington did a stellar job of helping us through a few issues we ran into while overseas. Without their great customer service, we would have spent a few days being totally bombarded by stress; instead, we were able to hand off the issues and trust that Kensington would resolve them.

Recommended

Great

By: glo

Reviewed on: 30 Aug 2014

We had two tours one in Copenhagen and the other in London. Both were great. Very knowledgable guides

A Great trip with a few trips and falls

By: Michaelzstuff

Reviewed on: 14 Sep 2014

We had a great time overseas with plenty to see and plenty of time to see them. A wonderful experience but terrible service with the connections overseas. We had made arrangements for pick-ups at every train station at the time of our arrival and rides from out hotel to the train stations.. Unfortunately, many times there was no one waiting to pick us up and times when there was no one to take us back to the train station. We made several international calls to reach someone while standing at the station with our family and baggage and were told that they would get back to us but never heard from them again. One of the drivers who did arrive took us to the wrong departure location and we had to pay for a cab to the airport. The only other blip was when we arrived at one of our stops along the way and were told that we had to pay for the tickets even though we later found a document that confirmed our payment.

Expert Friendly Service

By: Nancy3961

Reviewed on: 28 Oct 2014

Excellent (Ausgezeichnet)

By: Prosit!

Reviewed on: 28 Aug 2015

Many thanks to all of the Kensington staff that made out visits to Vienna, Salzburg and Munich so memorable. Our private tours in each city was incredible. Katerina in Wien was incredible as was our private tour in Munich, where the guide decided to drive us around to beat the heat instead of taking the walking tour was most appreciated, As well as some the extra touches we received such as the small "Lederhosen" purses for the children. You have an amazing team and we look forward to meeting you again in the future. Well done!

"Norman" was AMAZING

By: Pooz

Reviewed on: 11 Sep 2015

Once in Bali, my wife and I didn't have to worry about a thing. Norman, our English speaking guide, catered to our every request and suggested even more we never would have thought of. Norman and his driver took us to all the sites we planned to see plus some we didn't even know about. We always felt safe, that they had our best interests in mind, and never felt pressured to buy anything. We learned lots about the culture, history, and language. Wonderful trip!

Recommended

great planning

By: 1434

Reviewed on: 02 Sep 2015

Trip came off as planned ---was a great experience. Excellent attention to detail.

Local pros!

By: kd58

Reviewed on: 02 Nov 2015

We used Kensington guides in Budapest, Prague and Vienna. Each driver and guide was professional, knowledgeable and accomodating. We learned both the history and special points about key sights, without them going into too much detail or information overload. We will recommend Kensington to our friends traveling to these locations.

Brilliant, funny, thorough, flexible, creative,

By: MPH1960

Reviewed on: 16 Nov 2015

Our tour guide Mordi Zissman our guide and driver is Brilliant, funny, thorough, flexible, creative, informed and passionate about his country. Israel could not have been seen any other way than by Mordi's guidance and driving! What a tour!

Friendly Welcome in a Foreign City

By: Alina

Reviewed on: 31 Dec 2015

It was such a peace of mind to have Kensington Tours waiting for us at London Heathrow International Airport upon our arrival. Sigita and her driver met us at the airport with a nice welcome package and drove us to our hotel. Enroute to the hotel, Sigita answered all of my questions, explained the itinerary for the week and gave me the tickets for our tours/events. She also gave me an excellent city map and 24/7 emergency phone numbers, should we have any problems during our stay. Kensington Tours also ensured we had a ride back to the airport at the end of the week. That was a huge relief since we needed a driver at 4:30am on Christmas morning. Sigita's recommendations, the tours, the agenda, the location of our hotel, all were spot on. Our trip to England was absolutely the BEST vacation we have ever been on. This was largely in part to the efforts and services of Kensington Tours.

DUBAI ADVENTURE

By: DARLENE AND RUBEN

Reviewed on: 04 Feb 2016

Expert relaxed advice!

By: Stacy

Reviewed on: 01 Feb 2016

I clearly screwed this up and reviewed everyone at first. Kensington Tours was fantastic. We'll definitely use them in the future. The tour guides, the vehicles and the knowledge were first rate. They really made the trip for us.

Hilarious Guide

By: Emily13

Reviewed on: 15 Apr 2016

I believe we went on two tour with Kensington. The first was to the Ghibli museum. It was really cool to see this museum if you are an anime lover! The guide just talked to us about the museum on the way there. The second tour to shrines and the golden palace was amazing. We had a male tour guide who was beyond hilarious. He obviously loves his job and meeting new people. He was the best guide I have ever had, oh and did I mention HILARIOUS already? I regret that I do not remember his name but I would recommend a guided tour with him if you have the option.

Personable Professionals

By: Wise4315

Reviewed on: 18 Jun 2016

This was my first experience with Kensington Tours. My wife and I commented nearly daily on the personable professional service highlighted by dependability and subject area experts with exquisite social skills. Kensington played a major role in fulfilling a lifelong dream to visit the exact site where my father came ashore on Omaha Beach 0700 on June 6, 1944 (D-Day). An example of my expectations being exceeded was my desire to have a highly qualified military historian providing the tour the Normandy beach heads. Expectations were exceeded by having a guide possessing a doctorate in history (Colin Taylor, PhD, Objective D-Day tours). We had superior guides in Paris, to Versailles and seamless transfers between hotels trains and airports. Our hotel in the Latin Quarter on the left bank in Paris was an easy stroll to the Notre Dame Cathedral. Our experience Kensington gave me an opportunity for me to honor my father and loving memories for both my wife and I.

Jewish tours

By: judyandhowardRus

Reviewed on: 18 Sep 2016

Transfers to and from the airports were fabulous! They were on time, waiting for us and wanted to do anything for us that was needed. Prague Jewish tour was fantastic. Very informative, very interesting, very well presented. Liat Navi was wonderful and I would hgihly recommend her. Budapest tour was not so great. The tour guide walked us around very rotely and gave us information as he had learned it. When asked any questions about the significance about certain figures or actions, he did not know the answers. Even when we went to the Jewish cemetery, he directed us to the Holocaust area but really didn't know answers again to our questions. We walked around ourselves and tried to find the answers ourselves. Our smaller guides in the Old Jewish Synagogue and the Jewish Museum were much more informative for us.

Great Tour and Guides

By: LindaO

Reviewed on: 21 Oct 2016

Their guides are excellent

By: LouLou

Reviewed on: 27 Oct 2016

Having local guides from the countries we visited made a huge difference in our experience and we truly appreciated that aspect of our tours. We were able to learn even more from a locals perspective that went beyond the guide book

Fantastic guides and the best driver ever.

By: Molly

Reviewed on: 05 Feb 2017

My independent tour with Kensington was the first I have taken. Hope it won't be my last! I was able to easily see all the places and sights I wanted to see in much less time than it would have taken with a traditional group tour. I saved enough in hotels and meals (and time off from work) to more than compensate for the luxury of a driver and car for my group of two. And the flexibility we gained was priceless. Our driver was with us the whole time, he had been with the company for 16 years and was fantastic. When my niece asked about seeing a temple her high school teacher recommended that began with an "A", he knew it! In each city we were greeted by a company rep and had a very experienced guide. The guides were smart and worked very hard to find us shops for textiles we desired and fill our days since we were a little more efficient than the planners expected! Thank you!

Solid Planning from Start to Finish

By: Jamie and Josh

Reviewed on: 13 Feb 2017

Kensington Tours operated with the utmost professionalism when picking us up, escorting us to our activities and providing us with wonderful and capable tour guides. Our honeymoon was truly enhanced by the service that Kensington provided!

Great Tour

By: Anonymous

Reviewed on: 21 May 2017

From Milford Sound to Auckland in 10 days

By: Zorro

Reviewed on: 01 Jun 2017

Kensington tours provided us with the best tour guides, vehicles, accommodations and sightseeing locations we could imagine. Their guides were polite, knowledgable and concerned for our comfort and welfare. We were delighted by the locations that were selected by our tour guides when they were off script and needed to fill a void once a planned tour was completed but the day wasn't done. We learned a lot about NZ that wasn't in the guidebook and appreciated everything they did for us. Even the little off beat eating experiences were delightful and we couldn't imagine having a better time. They even got the weather right. The only part of the trip that wasn't top drawer was to the whale watch off Kaikoura. Because of a recent earthquake the normal route wasn't available and the alternative was a very narrow busy road that had a great deal of construction going on. It made for a long day with the last 2 hrs done in the dark and rain. Probably wouldn't do it again under those conditions.

Kensington Tours review

By: VJay

Reviewed on: 05 Jun 2017

Fabulous! We had a wonderful time in New Zealand. The drivers/guides were wonderfully helpful and knowledgeable. They were always on time. They provided ample stops for photos, food, and other necessary breaks. They could talk about the history, the cultures, the birds, animals, and plants, as well as current topics. The hotels that were selected were very nice. We would definitely use their services again.

Reviewed on: 17 Jul 2017

Clutch assistance

By: Andrew

Reviewed on: 18 Jul 2017

First, we have a fantastic trip to Croatia.
However, KLM lost my wife's bag on the way in. KLM and the airport we're terrible about getting us the bag in a timely manner, which was very important because we we're supposed to go island hopping a couple days into the trip and not having her luggage for that would have been deal breaking.
Kensington worked with the airport and arranged a special driver to get the baggage delivered to us much faster than the airport would have. Fantastic!

Eastern Europe

By: Rusty

Reviewed on: 01 Aug 2017

We took 6 private tours during our recent trip to Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, and Prague. All of our tour guides were excellent and quite knowledgeable about the cities we visited. We got to see all the important sites and were given additional information about other places we could see while we visited the various cities. We had a great time and look forward to the next trip!!

Family Adventure in Iceland

By: Adventure-bound

Reviewed on: 08 Aug 2017

Our travel planner with Kensington Tours is very knowledgeable about Iceland. She was able to recommend things to see and activities to do that I had not read about in all my travel research. My primary travel planner Kathy Moran, arranged several extremely helpful conference calls with our Kensington Tours consultant so that we could talk through options for my trip. Kensington Tours recommendations to take the Inside the Volcano tour and the all day Jeep tour to Landmannalaugar were two highlights of our trip that I can't imagine having missed. The only disappointment was some miscommunications with Kensington Tours and the tour operator in Iceland. No guide showed up for us for our 1/2 day private tour of Reykjavik. Our hotel called the local company and got a substitute guide for us within about an hour of when we were scheduled to leave. Unfortunately our sub guide had never been to the National Museum. Also there was no record of our driver for the Blue Lagoon and airport.

Spain

By: Europe

Reviewed on: 23 Aug 2017

Primarily because of the Spain experience!!!!

Recommended

When in Rome... and beyond

By: KJo

Reviewed on: 03 Sep 2017

Kensington Tours took care of us! Every aspect of our trip, from transports to tours, were exceptional. Rome & Tuscany are amazing destinations, made even more amazing by the people at Kensington Tours!

Very prompt with follow up

By: Imajoon

Reviewed on: 29 Aug 2017

At first we were not given the room we requested. Hotel said maybe tomorrow, they were totally booked. After a text to Debbie, hotel came up with a room. Our Panama Canal cruise started at 6:30 am. We requested that hotel pack a small breakfast as the restaurant was not open. We were told that there would be an additional charge even though breakfast was included. Again, the hotel called to say we would get breakfast. I don't know if Kensington was involved. However, what no one seemed to be aware of was that the boat served both breakfast and lunch. Even Panama Trails was not aware of this.
The Marriott Resort in Playa Blanca was a tired hotel in need of refreshing. There was only one operational restaurant for the resort due to the low guest count. I would have preferred another resort.

Well Done

By: Steve

Reviewed on: 17 Sep 2017

We did a private tour in Germany. I'd give them an "A". Few things could have been sharper but in the context of a week with private drivers and guides, all went very well. A little more clarity on exactly where to meet guides and how to get in a few places would have reduced momentary anxiety hit worked well. Drivers were very good, watched speed and driving conditions and were helpful. Guides were knowledgeable and good.

Superb

By: Larry's Africa Trip

Reviewed on: 05 Oct 2017

Every aspect of our Kensington tour was outstanding. The accommodations provided, and the staff which attended to our local tours and transfers were as good as they could possibly be.
I could not recommend Kensington Tours more highly.

Reviewed on: 13 Dec 2017

Kensington and Adreas were fantastic

By: Munich Group

Reviewed on: 16 Jan 2018

LOVED our guide Andreas. He was knowledgeable, flexible, fun and attentive when we had a medical issue. Our trip was excellent because of his walking tours and vast knowledge of German history. We all enjoyed him and would highly recommend him.

Excellent Customization

By: Mark

Reviewed on: 13 Jan 2018

Kensington planned out my Costa Rica trip. It was truly excellent, as they found great tour operators ... and more importantly, they put the tours on the right days, understanding how much activity we could take from one day to the next.

Impressive

By: Myda

Reviewed on: 14 Jan 2018

Our experience with Kensington in Spain was very good. Loved the hotels that were chosen for us, as well as the personal guides, drivers, etc. They also called to check in to make sure we were happy with the arrangements.

Kensington

By: crutsie

Reviewed on: 02 Feb 2018

Australian/New Zealand Tour Companies

By: Beck

Reviewed on: 09 Mar 2018

Our experience was very good. They showed up everywhere they supposed on-time and professionally. A couple of the tour operators mentioned that Kensington sent multiple confirmations to them leading up to the tours which seemed very professional. The private tours were unusual. We got a good feel for the indigenous peoples of both countries. The public tours that they had us go on were excellent - I think they made good choices in helping with our itinerary.

Fantastic service

By: Denise

Reviewed on: 20 Mar 2018

We were unfamiliar with Kensington and were pleasantly surprised. They kept searching and providing options till I was happy. They got us into a hotel we really wanted with an upgrade! Bravo! The drivers and tour guides were on time, flexible and very courteous. I will go out of my way to use Kensington again.

Argentina

By: Suzilee

Reviewed on: 07 Apr 2018

not bad

By: clan

Reviewed on: 16 Apr 2018

We used Kensington in 2 different countries on our trip. The guides in Rome were fantastic! It was evident that they loved their job and country, and the tours were amazing.
The guides in Barcelona, however, were not as good. It all seemed a bit less organized and less informing. They are much more casual about issues that happen, such as one planned event being canceled and unable to reschedule and another that was completely scheduled incorrectly and ended up being in a van that broke down, stranding us in a truck stop for 2 hours.
Overall I appreciated the assistance of the tour operator and would use them again - but next time a bit more educated on details than this time.

Kensington

By: Traveler

Reviewed on: 03 May 2018

Our tours provided by Kensington were absolutely fabulous. The drivers were great and our guides knowledable and courteous. We learned so much on these tours about the history and culture of the region. We highly recommend these tours.

Tour review

By: MaryM

Reviewed on: 08 May 2018

Excellent. Our guides in Seville were the high points of our trip. Antonio took us around to see the historical sites. His knowledge was extensive and his enthusiasm for the sites and their rich history made the tour fascinating. He was a delightful guide. And Luis took us out for tapas. We had a great time with him. He took us to the perfect combination of traditional and modern tapas bars and really gave us the flavor of local living in Seville. And he too was extremely knowledgeable about the history and culture of Seville. I would highly recommend them both.

Smooth operators!

By: Laurie & Chuck

Reviewed on: 09 May 2018

Kensington Tours did a great job in keeping our trip running smoothly and on schedule. Someone met us at every airport, was friendly, kind and spoke our language so that it was clear on what was to come. Every tour guide was on time. All spoke with pride about their country and answered all our questions.

Wonderful tour guides!

By: Michael

Reviewed on: 07 Jun 2018

great guides

By: sbpink

Reviewed on: 03 Jun 2018

I will say this tour company was terrific. Our guides picked us up from the airports and the were with us each tour day so we knew it would be the same driver and guide each day. Our guide in Bangkok was named Waewe and she was terrific. She really was knowledgeable and customized the tours to our likes. She went the extra mile sharing street food and local delicacies and the floating markets. She found out we love flowers and took us to their whole sale flower and veggie markets where the locals go.
Would highly recommend this friendly, professional reliable company.

Rome, Florence and Venice

By: TripletMom1995

Reviewed on: 25 Jun 2018

Our 8 day Italy experience was fantastic-2 days in Rome, 3 days in Florence, 2 days in Venice!! The itinerary was well thought out. The tour guides were great. We loved Francesca in Rome and Sylvia in Venice. We thought the guided tours were interesting, well planned out, and we learned a lot of history. Our only issue was finding our guide at the airport in Rome and we had to call the tour office. There isn't a lot of time to linger anywhere on a guided tour, but we learned this was necessary for the time allotted as there is much to see. Due to time, we did not get to go into the Duomo in Florence, nor St. Mark's Basillica in Venice. We also did not get to climb the Bell Tower in Florence because tickets are now required 3 days out. These weren't disappointments, just things we need to do when we go back! Loved having our dinners free! Bike tour in Tuscany was a huge hit as was Piazzale Michaelangelo in Florence. We loved the winery lunch. We would choose Kensington again!

Recommended

Excellent Guides and Drivers

By: Mary Yost

Reviewed on: 09 Jun 2018

Our experience with all of the Kensington tours drivers and guides was absolutely excellent. They are professional and courteous, knowledgeable and friendly, and we will most definitely use them again on future trips.

A Taste of Australia

By: Betty

Reviewed on: 08 Jul 2018

1. The itinerary was packed with first rate activities.
2. The tour groups were small and all tour leaders were enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
3. Next time I would give more input on the type of places we prefer to stay; such as distance from restaurants and town center, whether a view matters and number of bathrooms in a unit.
4. When our Great Barrier Reef snorkeling tour was cancelled, they contacted us the day before to make alternate plans going out on a different boat. This was very much appreciated.
5. All airport transfers and tours were on schedule and as planned.

galapagos and ecuador trip

By: lou

Reviewed on: 30 Jul 2018

Overall trip was great. Pictures of cabin and the itenerary we were given was decieving (not accurate). Had to pay for things that were suppose to be included. The food selection on the boat was not everything I was led to believe, but was still ok. multiple activities /events that were mentioned/listed, in the information provided by kensington tours, never happened. They need to revise the program and what is included. Also, need to be more accurate with cabin pictures and discriptions. The boat galapagos legend was still a nice boat. I wouldnt give it 5 stars but still was nice enough to meet our needs and be comfortable. crew was very courtious and friendly.

Brussels, Ghent, Brugges, Eurostar to London and Limo to Southampton

By: Tour of Central Europe and QM2 to NYC

Reviewed on: 26 Jul 2018

Kensington Tours

By: 42wander

Reviewed on: 07 Aug 2018

I did not feel prepared for our trip to Germany, but after I received our detailed and thorough itinerary the stress levels dissipated. My husband, who is very detailed oriented, was relieved to have everything organized and phone numbers for the drivers and the guides highlighted. All the train tickets and hotel vouchers were ordered and highlighted. I didn't have to hunt for anything, all nicely packaged.

Trip to Portugal and Spain

By: Smiley

Reviewed on: 13 Aug 2018

Not in England

By: First class first timer

Reviewed on: 09 Aug 2018

Multiple screw-ups from the England agency working through Kensington. Unresponsive to emergency call number, trains booked to a station that was in operation, and being issued coach seats when we had paid for first class. Then there was the driver that just didn't show up.
Without the strong concern and advocacy of our booking agent, I don't think any of our issues with Kensington would have been successfully addressed.

Recommended

flexible

By: Bill

Reviewed on: 12 Aug 2018

when our incoming flight was delayed by 20+ hours, Kensington had already changed our pick up information and tour arrangements to accommodate our new timetable.

Kensington Tours in Ireland

By: Lisa

Reviewed on: 24 Sep 2018

We were very happy with Kensington Tours and would use them again in the future. The drivers were knowledgeable and very helpful to recommend lunch places and other ideas as we asked. The hotels we stayed had great service and we would use them again.

Trip to Croatia

By: Dinka

Reviewed on: 26 Sep 2018

Cape Town to Botswana to Victoria Falls

By: J.Schneider

Reviewed on: 29 Sep 2018

Most of the trip, things went fine! Kensington Tours did a great job with the Cape Town and Botswana portions of the trip, but the last 2.5 days at Victoria Falls fell short of expectations. We didn't have tickets to two of our scheduled events, the hotel was very average and the activities staff at the hotel was rather unfriendly. We were misinformed about our dinner package by one of the front desk staff members and we didn't have transportation to one of our scheduled events though we were told by Kensington it was all taken care of.
For the price and the "hype" on the quality of Kensington Tours, our trip ended on a very "flat" note.
Also, with the other trips we've taken (Tauck or Holland America) there was always a "surprise extra" added to the trip by the Tour Operator. It made us feel appreciated as customers...didn't see anything like that with Kensington Tours.
Therefore, I wouldn't necessarily recommend Kensington as a top tour company to use.

Recommended

Swiss trip

By: Brett

Reviewed on: 03 Oct 2018

I really don't do tours, but Kensington did a great job. All the details were there and they made travel quite easy.

Kensington Madrid

By: doofus

Reviewed on: 09 Oct 2018

Had problems with the airport transfers, both for arrival and departure. Once in Madrid, though, things went well. Our guides, Bertha, Sonja, and Marisa were all knowledgeable and personable, especially in the art museums. The Prado with Bertha was the high point. Flamenco dinner and show was included, so now I can say I've seen a Flamenco show. Enjoyed that we had plenty of time to ourselves over the course of the week, which allowed us to roam around Madrid on our own.

Very professional

By: Terri

Reviewed on: 16 Oct 2018

There were several times during our trip when I needed help with something or I needed information about something. Every time I called the phone was answered promptly and the person that I talk to gave me the correct information that I was looking for. A couple of these calls were made on a weekend or late at night after office hours. That did not interfere with the high quality of the service. I talked to several different agents during the course of our trip and got the same high level of professional service with each employee.

Great side trip in Thailand

By: Kathy

Reviewed on: 23 Dec 2018

I wanted to do a side trip from Bangkok to northwestern Thailand (including Chiang Mai and Pai). Through my travel advisor, I explained what I wanted to do/see, and Kensington Tours arranged everything in accordance with my request - including airport transfers, air reservations, private local guide and professional driver. Everything worked out as planned, but the local guide was also amenable to minor changes in the itinerary with respect to timing, order of visits and restaurants. It was not inexpensive, but I feel I got good value for the money I spent. Also, I felt very secure and safe throughout my trip, and didn't have to worry about the details.

Very Organized

By: Mel

Reviewed on: 18 Feb 2019

Dream trip to Australia

By: Jane Bartunek

Reviewed on: 07 Mar 2019

The staff at Kensington Tours were a true delight to work with through our travel agent. They answered all of our questions and was able to make our trip to Australia one that we will never forget. The private tour guides that they had for us where fantastic, which made our sight seeing adventures so enjoyable.

Wonderful customer service

By: LP

Reviewed on: 08 Mar 2019

We enjoyed our time in Venice very much. The guides were knowledgeable and extremely friendly. They were prompt and knew how to navigate the city to make it very easier for the travelers. The sites we saw were fantastic. We never waited in line or wasted any time. We received excellent treatment and service.

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